How to Properly Grip a Golf Club

The first lesson for any aspiring golfer is the importance of one of the primary fundamentals any golfer is taught, the grip. Without knowledge of the correct grip, it will be virtually impossible to take your skills onto any sort of next level, as your swing will be wayward and accuracy none existent.

In-fact many golfers are still unable to defect from their natural grip to the more practical one and these unfortunately are the players that will struggle for any kind of consistency and improvement to their game. By all means when golfers are learning the game, without the correct tutelage, they will proceed to stick to what feels comfortable and after a few times it feels so unnatural to adopt any other way.

The grip allows the golfer to maintain control of the golf club and will ensure that the hands do not slip down the grip during the course of the swing, an act which can have major consequences on any kind of improvement. A good firm grip will enable the hands to work together to build swing speed and deliver the club head to the ball at a square angle which will result in more accurate shots.

There are two types of grips predominantly used by golfer of all level: overlapping and interlocking. With the overlapping grip, the little finger of the right hand is fitted securely into the space between the index finger and middle finger of the left. The interlocking grip involves intertwining or locking together the left index finger and right little finger.

Check Your Grip Strength

Golfers often make the mistake of gripping the club too tightly. This builds tension all the way up the forearms and into the shoulders, which prevents having a free-flowing, full swing. Lightening your grip pressure while still keeping a secure hold on the club can help promote a full release of the hands through the ball for maximum clubhead speed and power.

The grip affects the flight of the ball. Both right-to-left and left-to-right ball flights can be encouraged by the position of your hands on the club. Knowing how to curve the ball is a good skill to have to deal with holes that bend one direction or the other–such as doglegs–or to avoid hazards on one side of a fairway or green.

Looking down at your hands after you grip the club, you see two ‘Vs’ formed by the index finger and thumb on each hand. Turning the Vs to the right is referred to as having a strong grip position. This makes it easier to curve the ball from right to left. With the Vs turned to the left, a left-to-right ball flight is encouraged.

Step-By-Step Guide to Properly Gripping a Golf Club

So now that it has been explained just exactly why it is so important to attain a good golf grip and the monumental effects they can have on your game, the second part of this article will be aimed at explaining exactly how to and the correct way to grip a golf club. It is recommended that when practicing and getting used to the grip that you use a mid-iron such as a #7 as this is one of the most commonly used clubs.

Step 1

In step one of the process adopt a standing position whilst letting your arms hang naturally by your side.

Step 2

Beginning with the left hand and then continuing with that same hand position with your arm by your side, take the handle of the golf club, with the face of the club positioned square to the target. The butt end of the club should rest just below the heel pad of your hand, extending the club diagonally across the fingers. The club should touch the base of the pinkie finger and just above the first joint of the index finger.

Step 3

Imagine as you hold the golf club with your left hand, that you are facing a clock, with the shaft of the club at 12 o’clock. Place the thumb of the left hand on the grip of the club at one o’clock. You should be able to see the knuckles of the index and middle fingers of the left hand. You now have the correct left hand grip of your golf club.

Step 4

Now position your right hand with the pad of your right thumb resting over the left thumb. The club should rest diagonally across the fingers of the right hand as well, not in the palm. Notice the dots on the right hand in the image, outlining the correct position of the club in the right hand.

Step 5

Using the clock analogy again, place your right thumb at 11 o’clock. You now have the correct right hand grip of your golf club.

Step 6

In order to confirm that your hands are in their proper position, the “V” that is formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand should point just inside your right shoulder.

Step 7

Your right pinkie finger can overlap or interlock with the left index finger depending on the style of grip that you prefer.For beginners to the game and also the keen players, these steps should be practiced religiously in order to ensure that you are using the correct grip. Once it feels natural and comfortable, then you will really reap the rewards and see rapid improvements to your game!